Part of an update posted on the Diamond Mountain Web site as of 13th June 2006

Please note the text in bold.

A similar development has occurred with the planned teachings in our next stop, Dharamsala in India. Here the Tibetan authorities have asked that, due to concerns about spiritual partners and the ordained, and the role of woman lamas, that Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally not come to give their planned teachings on Je Tsongkapa’s “Essence of Eloquence.”

In response, we have asked for permission to include in the teachings a free, open debate in the traditional Buddhist style. This will be to discuss openly any questions that foreign or Tibetan people may have on these issues, by debating in English and Tibetan language, using only Tibetan books, and providing immediate translation. We have offered to hold this debate in the separate hall we’ve already rented in Dharamsala, during our nighttime talks, well after the afternoon teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We have offered to prepare free refreshments for all, and have some nice music by our students.

Unfortunately, this proposal has not been accepted by the Tibetan officials. They have said that these issues should be openly discussed and debated, but not at this time and place. We have a good dialogue going, and it seems that we will all be able to work together to arrange this kind of open debate, for both foreign and Tibetan people to attend, at some time in the future.

As in China, we want to respect the wishes and customs of our hosts, and so right now our plan is to extend our trip through to July 6 to allow Geshe Michael and Christie to give the teaching as scheduled, over a 10-day period. (This is a very auspicious date: we will be celebrating both His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, and a Vajra Yogini tsechu.) We are looking for a location with inexpensive rooms somewhere in the Himalayan foothills, within easy travel from Dharamsala.

We are very happy to report that the Tibetan authorities are trying to help our group, and have promised that the 250 people who have already signed up to attend the wonderful teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama are very welcome to come. We strongly encourage everyone to attend these teachings, to get the blessing of this greatest Dalai Lama of history. Keep watching this site for the location of the Je Tsongkapa program. Information will also be available from our organizers at His Holiness’ teachings. We apologize for any inconvenience and extra expense caused.

A More Accurate Appraisal of the this Post

DM Post“…the Tibetan authorities“

Referring to:
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

DM Post:“…have asked that, due to concerns about spiritual partners and the ordained”

Referring to:
The Office of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama states in it’s letter, “We have seen a photograph of you wearing long hair, with a female companion at your side, apparently giving ordination. This would seem to conflict with the rules of Vinaya, and as you know, the Gelug tradition makes a point of upholding these very strictly.”

DM Post:
“… and the role of woman lamas”

Note:
No mention of woman lama’s was made in the letters from the Office of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is mere chicanery with intent to infer that the Tibetan tradition is patriarchal and thus gives it a tainted appearance which would appeal to Western concerns regarding gender equality.

Note:His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Office actually states that “…we advise you not to visit Dharmsala in the greater interest of the purity of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.”

DM Post:
“They have said that these issues should be openly discussed and debated, but not at this time and place. We have a good dialogue going, and it seems that we will all be able to work together to arrange this kind of open debate, for both foreign and Tibetan people to attend, at some time in the future.”

Note:Nowhere in the correspondence between Geshe Michael Roach and His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Office does it mention that they wish to debate these issues. In contrast, His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Office states “In view of all these we advise you not to visit Dharmsala in the greater interest of the purity of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition“.

DM Post:“We are very happy to report that the Tibetan authorities are trying to help our group, and have promised that the 250 people who have already signed up to attend the wonderful teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama are very welcome to come.”

Referring to:
His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Office wrote: “…we advise you not to visit Dharmsala in the greater interest of the purity of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as clearly indicated in the letter of Chhime Rigzin-la dated May 24, 2006. However, as for the other members of your group those who are interested are welcome to attend the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Office are merely stating that anyone (apart from Geshe Michael Roach himself) is welcome to attend.

“However, faith in one’s guru does not mean blind faith. It does not mean believing “My guru is perfect,” even though your guru is not perfect. It is not pretending that your guru’s defects are qualities. It is not rationalizing every foible of the guru into a superhuman virtue. After all, most gurus will have defects. You need to recognize them for what they are.” Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

CNN 8/2012

Kumaré

Movie synopsis: Sri Kumaré is an enlightened guru from the East who has come to America to spread his teachings. After three months in Phoenix, Kumaré has found a group of devoted students who embrace him as a true spiritual teacher. But beneath his long beard, deep penetrating eyes, and his endless smile, Kumaré has a secret he is about to unveil to his disciples: he is not real. Kumaré is really Vikram Gandhi, an American filmmaker from New Jersey who wanted to see if he could transform himself into a guru and build a following of real people.